Background
Charlton Athletic Football Club is one of English football's most historic clubs, with a proud heritage dating back to 1905. Based at the iconic The Valley in South East London, the Club operates a modern training ground alongside its stadium and hosts a wide range of matchday, corporate and community events throughout the year.
As part of a strategic decision to introduce a dedicated Facilities Management function, Chief Operating Officer Tony Keohane approached Maxwell Stephens to lead the search for the Club's first Facilities & Events Manager.
Although Charlton Athletic initially intended to appoint multiple recruitment agencies, following our initial consultation they chose to work exclusively with Maxwell Stephens.
The Challenge
This was a unique appointment requiring an individual capable of combining high-level Facilities Management expertise with operational event management in one of the UK's most demanding sporting environments.
The successful candidate would oversee the operational management of The Valley Stadium and the Club's state-of-the-art training ground while ensuring safe, efficient and commercially successful operations on both matchdays and non-matchdays.
Key responsibilities included:
- Leading the operational management of The Valley and training ground.
- Managing Facilities Management across all Club properties.
- Overseeing matchday and event operations.
- Managing maintenance, cleaning and security contractors.
- Ensuring statutory compliance and Health & Safety.
- Developing relationships with key stakeholders, including:
- Royal Borough of Greenwich
- Emergency Services
- Sports Grounds Safety Authority
- Sponsors
- Venue hire clients
- Managing operational budgets and planned maintenance.
- Supporting emergency planning and business continuity.
- Delivering continuous improvements across facilities and operations.
The role demanded a commercially minded leader capable of balancing operational excellence, customer experience and regulatory compliance within a high-profile sporting environment.
Our Approach
As this was the Club's first dedicated Facilities Management appointment, Maxwell Stephens worked closely with Charlton Athletic's senior leadership team to fully understand both the technical requirements of the position and the culture of the organisation.
Through detailed consultation, we developed a comprehensive candidate profile focusing equally on technical competence, leadership capability and personality fit.
Our executive search targeted professionals with expertise in:
- Stadium and venue management.
- Facilities Management.
- Health & Safety leadership.
- Event and matchday operations.
- Contractor and supplier management.
- Project management.
- Business continuity and emergency planning.
- Multi-functional team leadership.
Particular emphasis was placed on identifying candidates who would integrate naturally into the Club's passionate, collaborative culture.
Charlton Athletic wanted someone without a "corporate ego"—a hands-on leader who would become part of the team rather than simply manage it.
The Outcome
Following a comprehensive executive search and rigorous assessment process, Maxwell Stephens successfully appointed an outstanding Facilities & Events Manager.
The successful candidate combined strong technical Facilities Management expertise with significant operational leadership experience, making an immediate impact across both the stadium and training ground.
Since joining the Club, they have successfully:
- Strengthened operational management across both sites.
- Enhanced contractor performance and service delivery.
- Improved Health & Safety compliance.
- Supported the safe operation of matchdays and major events.
- Built strong relationships with key external stakeholders.
- Introduced greater operational consistency and efficiency.
- Helped protect and enhance one of English football's most recognisable venues.
The appointment demonstrated Maxwell Stephens' ability to recruit exceptional Facilities Management leaders for complex, high-profile sporting environments.
Recruiting Leaders for Iconic Venues
Sports venues demand a unique combination of operational expertise, leadership, customer focus and calm decision-making under pressure.
Maxwell Stephens understands these environments, delivering professionals who can successfully manage world-class facilities while creating exceptional experiences for supporters, visitors and stakeholders alike.
Client Testimonial
"I engaged Maxwell Stephens following an initial consultation and, after visiting the stadium, they immediately understood exactly what we needed. They produced an excellent shortlist of candidates with both the technical expertise and leadership qualities we were looking for. The entire recruitment process was efficient, well managed and respectful of our time. We are delighted with the appointment and the contribution our new team member has made."
— Tony Keohane, Chief Operating Officer, Charlton Athletic Football Club
Candidate Testimonial
"Maxwell Stephens helped me enormously throughout the recruitment process. Their professionalism was matched only by their resourcefulness. Their relationships across the Facilities Management sector make them an invaluable recruitment partner, and I would highly recommend them to anyone looking to further their career."